The Dinosaur's Packed Lunch by Jacqueline Wilson (Children's, 5 years +, 9/10)

August 2011, Corgi Pups

72 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Themes: single parent family, life without a mother, being different to other children, getting in trouble at school, school trips, mysterious goings on, lots of humour

Summary from Random House Children's Publishers

Dinah feels sad. Her class has gone on a school trip to see the dinosaurs at the museum, and everyone else has a tasty packed lunch - except Dinah. Until a funny new friend decides to help . . .

Soon Dinah has a very special packed lunch - but there is an even bigger surprise in store!

Nayuleska's thoughts

Pictures are said to be worth 1000 words. They certainly say a great deal about the life Dinah has, the life she wants, and the life she gets for a while. The large plot twist was totally unexpected and made me gasp. I liked what happened afterwards because Dinah managed to fit in by not fitting in. I think the adult in me over thought the ending because I expected some repercussion for what happened but there was none in this 9/10 read.

You can find out more on Jacqueline's website.

Suggested read

For anothe tale where a girl gets whisked away from life try The Monster Story-Teller, also by Jacqueline.

What are YOU reading? #139

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.



Books I've read 

Forget Me Never by Gina Blaxill

Young Adult,

(Lots of thrills in this dramatic read about a teen foster girl...) 

10/10

Dork Diaries: Party Time by Rachel Renee Russell

Children's, 9 years +

(McKenzie proves to Nikki how much of a mean girl she is, leaving Nikki to juggle several parties on the same night!!) 

10/10

Escape From The Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso

Children's, 9 years +

(A fun read with heaps of imagination used in locations and how Caramel and her fellow elves live...) 

8/10

Winterling by Sarah Prineas

Children's, 9 years +

(A thrilling, not too gloomy adventure about a spunky girl who will keep asking questions until she finds the answers...) 

10/10

Dork Diaries: Pop Star by Rachel Renee Russell

Children's, 9 years +

(MacKenzie makes Nikki's life miserable, but it's balanced out by the humour which follows Nikki around almost constantly!) 

10/10

Fire by Kate Cann

Young Adult

(My excitement over following Rayne on the continuation of her story in Possessed was well and truly justified!) 

10/10

The Sniffles For Bear by Bonny Becker

Children's, Picture book

(An accurate, hilarious portrayal of what it's like having a cold...)

10/10

Darcy Burdock by Laura Dockrill

Release Date:  Spring 2013

Children's, 9 years +

(Darcy is certainly on extraordinary girl...)

8/10

Om Shanti, Babe by Helen Limon

Children's, 10 years +

(Sometimes it takes a trip away from home - in Cass's case half way round the world - to find yourself and who you truly wish to be...) 

9/10

First Sticker Book: Princesses illustrated by Rebecca Finn

Children's, Activity book

(At least 40 mins of princess fun to be had!!) 

9/10

Reread 

Sweethearts: Star-Crossed by Jo Cotterill

(I reread this because I needed a light, uplifting read. I LOVE how through her emotional suffering Fliss starts to know and be confident with who she really is. I say it now: Sam is EVIL!)

10/10

Sweethearts: Strictly Friends by Jo Cotterill

(Another light read which deals with a lot of heartache and inner strength...)

10/10

Watched 

Winx Season 5

...various episodes in English & French (blog post here). I'm ecstatic that I can watch this as it is released!  It's a good series; there's never a bad Winx series!

Shugo Chara Doki!

...I'm near the end of this series, so I haven't watched much because it gets more intense. I've needed lighter reads. 

GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class

...this is a slice of life anime, following a group of girls who are in art school. It's very funny, as the series goes on there's less info dumping about various art techniques which are blended more into the story line. The girls themselves are funny, although they are similar to the girls in Azumanga Daioh.

Hanasaku Iroha

...not sure of the English title, but this is about a girl whose mother ditches her to run off with an in-debt boyfriend, sending her daughter to her mother who runs an onsen (Japanese hot spring). The girl thinks it will be wonderful, she'll have fun with her grandmother. She didn't expect to be hated and to be made to work when she's not in school. The girls are a bit odd there (one out-rightly hates her, the other is scared of everything), but the girl (yes I've forgotten her name - my memory is terrible) is sweet and slowly wins people round, working hard and learning through mistakes. Occasional older content, the voice actress is the same one who does Amu in Shugo Chara (all the series).

La storia della Arcana Famiglia

...I adore this show! I love Mafia based anime (Noir and Gunslinger Girls), the Arcana is really powerful. Felicita - the girl is a tough sweetheart, wanting to do her best and realising how much responsibility from knowing about all the Arcana powers is placed on her. 

H2O - Just Add Water

...my favourite mermaids continue to make me smile. This is a show that gets better each time I watch it. 

Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch

... a mermaid anime which is kind of like LilPri (which I almost forgot to mention, despite watching countless episodes this week!) 

LilPri

...the girls are learning more about their powers, and about fairyland. 

As you can see I've got a range of anime - some are cute and upbeat, others cover various issues and are insightful. I love anime!

Saranormal: Ghost Town and Saranormal: Haunted Memories by Phoebe Rivers, Children's, 7 years +, 9/10 & 10/10)

(In blogger there is no gap between these two books - sorry for there being one on the actual blog post. It's those Blogger Gremlins again)                      

                           

 August 2012, Simon and Schuster

160 pages, Paperback

Review copies

Themes: paranormal, seeing ghosts, being though of as a freak, helping others, facing fears, gaining confidence, moving schools, unusual home life, making friends and enemies, mysteries, visions, lots of scary parts (book 1), fair amount of humour

Summaries from Simon and Schuster for Ghost Town   (Shortened to GT by Nayu)

 Sara Collins is a normal 12 year old girl with an abnormal secret: she is psychic. Sara has had her abilities for as long as she can remember, but she doesn't like to talk about them. She hopes that if she ignores them, they might go away. Sara wants nothing more than to have a normal life, and to her "normal" doesn't include anything paranormal.

But Sara's abilities aren't going away... in fact, changes are happening in Sara's life that will make her abilities even more powerful. Her life is about to be turned upside down because she's moving across the country with her dad to an old shore town in New Jersey. A shore town with a lot of history... and more than its fair share of ghosts.

Ghost Town places Sara in the fun setting of a shore town with a beach and a boardwalk. As Sara tries to settle into her new home, she discovers that not only is she surrounded by ghosts, but for the first time, the ghosts around her can communicate with her. One ghost in particular is intent on communicating with Sara because he desperately needs something from her. Sara wants to help, but she's scared. Can Sara put her fear aside and help the spirit? Will doing so put her in jeopardy?
 

Meanwhile, Sara meets a great local girl named Lily Randazzo, and against all odds, really bonds with her. Sara has made a true friend for the first time in her life. Maybe New Jersey isn't so bad after all...

and Haunted Memeories   (Shortened to HM by Nayu)

Sara Collins is a normal 12 year old girl with an abnormal secret: she is psychic. Sara has had her abilities for as long as she can remember, but she doesn't like to talk about them. She hopes that if she ignores them, they might go away. Sara wants nothing more than to have a normal life, and to her "normal" doesn't include anything paranormal.

Sara has settled in to her new hometown, and even made a good friend in Lily Randazzo. Now it's time to start school, and Sara has her first psychic vision. In the vision, she sees herself with a cute boy she's never seen before. The vision is so powerful that Sara feels shaken to the core. When she starts school a few days later she meets the boy from her vision. His name is Jayden Mendes, and Sara knows with complete certainty that this boy is destined to be her first boyfriend. But there's something else Sara knows about Jayden... he has a ghostly companion who stays by his side at all time. The ghost seems intent on keeping Sara and Jayden apart. What secrets does Jayden hold? Who is this ghost, and what is his problem with Sara? It's a lot for Sara to navigate around while also falling in love for the first time!

Nayuleska's thoughts

I spent 5 minutes searching for my GT review only to realise I had intended to write the review once I'd collected my thoughts on it. That never happened...

Ahem. Usually I discuss grades last in reviews, but I need to explain the ones for GT and HM. I honestly feel these books are too mature for 7 year olds. I know I freak out easily, but the content feels more appropriate for 9 years + to me. I've read a fair amount of 7+ books, which are nowhere near this spooky or as into boys as the girls here.

Aside from that, the books are awesome! The first one scared me the most. I nearly stopped reading it (this phenomena happens frequently at the moment). I only requested the books because I loved the style of the covers and I have a thing for heroines who only have 1 or 0 parents. It makes an interesting family dynamic. Sara had to deal with a strange lady who isn't family but by book 2 knows more about Sara than her dad does. Through the spooky goings on Sara gains more confidence in herself, she learns more about her new home, and yes she does look a little crazy sometimes talking to herself because others don't see ghosts. I'm very eager for book 3, as the ghost for that story is very strong willed.

Suggested read

For funny ghost talking series try Tamsyn Murray's My So-Called Afterlife.

The Cupcake Diaries: Mia's Baker's Dozen by Coco Simon (Children's, 7 years +, 10/10)

Funky cherries! (I'm cherry obsessed when it comes to images)

September 2012, Simon and Schuster

124 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Themes: friendship, struggling with school, getting to grips with a step family, keeping secrets that should be shared, making mistakes, being a good friend, creative baking, fashion, quite a few laughs, tissues are neede

Summary from Simon and Schuster

Mia is getting used to her new family now that her mum is remarried to Eddie and she's gained a new stepbrother, Dan. She's in the groove of going to her dad's house on the weekends, and everything is going pretty well at home and at school. Well, except for Spanish class. Mia's parents and stepfather speak it and she does too - but speaking it and writing it are two different things, and somehow Mia ends up in the hands of the merciless Mrs Alvarez and almost failing Spanish class.  Still, things are so good at home that Mia doesn't want to worry anyone or rock the boat. But when her parents find out - all three of them - she realises that instead of having two parents, she's lucky enough to have three, and all three of them pitch in to help her. A baker's dozen is a bonus!

Nayuleska's thoughts

I was astonished at how close a lot of Mia's thoughts are to my own. Even though I'm over a decade older than Mia, her thoughts and fears are ones that I and every reader will be able to relate to in some way. It's hard when you feel you have to live up to expectations and flunk them. There's always a way round it as Mia discovers in this 10/10 read.

You can find out more on Coco's website.

Suggested read

Naturally read the other books in the series which start with The Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake Cure.

 Another read with a club based on friendship is The Babysitter's Club by Ann Martin, starting with Kristy's Big Idea.

Gobbolino The Witch's Cat by Ursula Moray Williams (Children's, 7 years +, special reprint, 10/10)

This edition 11th October 2012, MacMillan Children's Books
246 pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: life as a witch's cat, life for a cat in different circumstances, kindness and cruelty of people, prejudice, making the best of things, being good vs being evil, occasional mild peril, poorly princess, maiden in a tower with a dilemma, some aw moments and happiness
 

Summary from MacMillan

The 70th anniversary edition of this classic and timeless tale

No one could mistake Gobbolino for a simple kitchen cat, with his sparky whiskers and magic tricks, but that’s just what the witch’s kitten wants to be. Instead of learning how to turn mice into toads for the witch’s brew, Gobbolino sets out on an adventure to find a family and a home of his own.

Nayuleska's thoughts
I read this book when I was little! My sister had one of Ursula's other books, The Little Wooden Horse - I remember liking the cover for it. I think I remember the illustrations from Gobbolino, which are different to this version. When Gobbolino is a show cat, I had a deja vu moment of a picture with lots of cats in cages with judges around them. The illustrations in this edition are cute - I went aww and my heart felt soft and fluffy whenever I saw the ill-fated (not forever) Gobbolino. 

 

He is innocent of the way of the world, and wants to be good. Sadly people aren't always a good match for cata, as he found out. It may have been published during the 2nd world war but this 10/10 story is a firm reminder that a cat's character is unique. If you look to rescue a cat try and find one that suits your style. Never open your kitchen to a hobgoblin or chaos will ensue. People can be very prejudicd, but eventually things work out, just as they did for Gobbolino. PS: after writing this review I found a Gobbolino book in my family's loft! How cool - definitely not an orange cover, but still cool.

Ursula died in 2006 

 

Suggested read
For more magic involving cats and adventure try Talina in the Tower by Michelle Lovric

Nayu's News #41 My Hospital Weekend

I'm finally writing the promised post about what happened at the hospital on Friday (ketamine dose) & Monday (heart checks). As far as I can remember I haven't until now said what the tests and monitoring on Monday was for. I was pretty stressed about it all, and I'm only mentioning what happens now so that anyone trying to find information online can. 

Friday - dose me up!

Friday was a pretty relaxed day, as it was my wonderful ketamine dose! I was up in the early hours, 2am for anyone wanting a specific time. I didn't have to be at the hospital until 9am, but there is a 6 hour no eating policy. If I don't eat in the mornings before taking my medication I feel pretty sick. I watched anime up until I needed to leave. Journey was by mostly by train. 

 If only our trains had Hello Kitty on them - now that would be cool! 

No travel delays (whoo, something I always worry about). Got the hospital super early - 8am. Waited until 9am for them to be ready for me, mostly reading and at the end chatting to the guy next to me who was new to infusions. 

 (An anime hospital)

I didn't have an infusion this time - I was taking ketamine under my tongue. Because absorption is different in each person, there's no set dose per se. I had 50mg of ketamine squirted under my tongue, and I had to keep it there for 5 mins. I had at least 1 nurse watching me all the entire time, and some points it was 1 doctor, 1 nurse & the pain specialist. It was quite amusing having everyone stare at me as I do my best not to swallow. That would be a bad idea as the ketamine would then get processed through my digestive system. 

After 5 mins I spat the mixture out, rinsed my mouth, and had another 50mg dose, this time for 10 mins. They were waiting for me to start feeling how I do when I have an infusion. I felt a bit weird, but rather happy too. It was easier to see why people are dumb and take it as a recreational drug. After a bit of time making sure I was ok, I was allowed home. Yay! I felt pretty good and was looking forward to resting until Sunday.  

(How I hoped to be)

Boy was I wrong. 

I felt absolutely lousy Friday evening, and pretty lousy all of Saturday and a fair amount of Sunday. I guess having ketamine slightly differently means the side effects are different. It's so worth it though - being more comfortable is wonderful. I've another booked in 10-12 weeks (or will have) - and if this lasts long enough, they'll train me up so I can do it myself at home, which is the whole aim of it. If that happens I'm probably going to feel like I need a bodyguard when I first pick up the ketamine. But it will mean less travelling to the hospital all the time, which isn't close to me, and just constant pain relief (more constant than having to wait for a free slot). A couple of days feeling rough is more than worth it for the relief I get.

(A family scene - mine don't have purple hair)

Sunday was spent resting and with family, with yummy food and laughs.

Monday's hospital clinic

 (The unknown is always scary) 

Monday was a little bit of an unknown, as I'd never been to that particular hospital before, and was understandably anxious about my heart check. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it's just that patients with my condition (Mitochondrial cytopathy) have a heart check every now and then to make sure it's ok, as the heart is a muscle, and the often on strike mitochondria in each and every cell in the body are quite numerous in muscles. 

I got there about 30 mins early (usual trip via the train), and was booked in. First I waited a little to see the specialist nurse who explained what was going to happen. I then headed off to wait for an ECG. Now, I'm used to waiting yonks in hospitals so had a few books with me. I didn't get to read very much as I was seen quickly. The ECG itself happened so fast I barely had time to breathe (I was chatting with the technician, but no sooner were all the electrodes on then they were off. 

Out I went to wait for the echo(cardiagram) Once again that was a short wait. I'd been warned that echos can take up to 30 minutes, but mine didn't take that long (they do in-depth ones at that particular hospital). Still not sure how you can get an image of the heart from your neck, but there you have it. Now, next I was due to see the consultant and then have a 24 hour heart monitor attached at 3pm. It was just gone 11.30, and they were ever so helpful and said they'd try to fit me in then. By 12pm I had the monitor, got told to go get something to eat (I had food with me) as the clinic didn't start until 12.30pm and there were 2 other people in front of me. 

After I'd had a bite to eat and texted my family to say how long I expected to be, I went back and saw the specialist. 

 My heart is very healthy. It both looks and functions well. The only issue is a fast heart rate, which I've had since I was little and which freaks every new medical person I meet. I may need some meds for it if it doesn't slow down when I sleep. But that's not a big issue, and easily fixed. So long as there isn't an issue with the monitoring, I won't be back there for another 2 years. It was pretty good to leave at 1.30pm instead of gone 3.30pm!

Tuesday at 12pm I was frantically taking the machine off - while it was still recording - and headed to the post office. I hadn't been shown how to stop it, so it probably reported I wasn't attached to it for a fair while.

 There may be a spike in the reading when I discovered I can watch the latest season of Winx online in French, but other than that I think it went ok. 

Yesterday I spent all day watching anime. Today I've spent all day reading, and will be watching anime tonight. 

This weekend I'm getting back into my normal routine, which I'm looking forward to. I've been off work for 2 weeks, which is quite a while for me. I miss everyone! But I've had a good break inbetween hospital stuff, and I'm ready to get on with things! 

 

(Holo from the anime Spice and Wolf)

Nayu's News #40 Winx & Anime Galore!

No guesses for what this post is about! 

(Amu from the anime Shugo Chara being happy)

(Look at their funky new everyday outfits! They have fab style (teamed with trousers would be perfect for me))

Yup, it's a Winx post. It all begin a few months ago, when I went onto the French TV website for the station that is showing season 5 of Winx. I dutifully signed up because you can watch episodes online. I checked it out a few weeks ago, only to be told some horrifying news. 

I wasn't able to watch the videos because they weren't for my region/country. Needless to say I was devastated. 

 I resigned myself to the fact I wouldn't get to see Winx (in French, that's the one I like. & Spanish, but that's newer for me). I was not a happy bunny, but that's how life goes. 

Or so it went until yesterday. I tried to get French episodes on one website, but nothing appeared. I then tried googling it - it had to be online somewhere. And it was! 

 (A very happy Saya from the anime Bamboo Blade)

I immediately signed up to the website in question, and watched the first 2 episodes in French today. The French release (dubs) is a couple of weeks behind the English release - boo. So for now I'll watch both, just so I see the latest episode asap. Once the whole season has been released, I won't watch the English again. I don't like animation in English all that much. There are a few exceptions, but when I'm used to it in a certain language, anything else seems 'wrong'. 

(Here's a picture of all the girls in Harmonix form - I adore their outfits!)

Oddly there's one episode which is in a different position in the French version. The Lilo which is episode 1 in English is about episode 5 in French. Not sure why, but there you go. Another odd thing the trailer I kept seeing for season 5showed Winx as a truly dire CGI show. I'm so relieved it isn't like that, and it's the normal Winx I'm used to. 

  (Awful CGI image which doesn't even look like Bloom!)

 

There's so much magic in the show - more cuteness and amazing changes. I'm sure Sirenx will be awesome, but for now Harmonix is soft and feminine. The girls are getting their own magical companions (of sorts) so I'm not minding too much that les mini-fees (pixies) aren't in the show. 

 (Some of the new companions)

Mitzi, Bloom's evil neighbour in Gardenia has a little sister who is a sweetheart and the total opposite of Mitzi. She has a lot of courage, and I hope we get to see more of her. 

 (Maci on the left (she always has her right eye covered with hair), Mitzi on the right)

Not only does the website have the latest Winx, it has an anime I've wanted to see but haven't been able to get hold of before now, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch. It sounds a similar premise to Lil Pri, and is fun. I'd have preferred it to be less boy(friend) orientated, but that's the way it goes.

Today has been a total R&R day - which I should have had Tuesday and yesterday (bad me).

 As well as watching Winx & MMPPP, I've watched:

 La Storia della la Arcana Famiglia

(some of the 'family', some related, some connected by all having special powers)

The plot has been thickening in numerous ways, and continues to surprise me. It's the Mafia with mysterious magical powers - heaps of fun! Felicita (below) is the heiress, she can see what's in others' hearts, she has an awesome fighting style and is protected by the entire family (and gets to protect the people on the island).

 

LilPri

I'm super excited about the next episode because the girls find out a truth which everyone watching the show already knows.

I hope you've had a good day, and all have a favourite show you can enjoy over and over. I'd love to hear if you like any animated ones. Tomorrow I plan on posting about my hospital weekend :)